Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-19
: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
= ,

SACRAMENTO, November 49, 1857
j. II. Cdmpbet. Ee9., Santa Cidra-DEAR SIR.
l have given the application of c. Goslaw for
commute ion of his death sentence to one of
imprisonment for life, my most earnest and
careful attention, in order to do equal and ey
act justice as between the defendant and the
outraged and offended law, and there is no cir
cumstance in connection Herewith that pleads
to me for my interposition. To be the arbiter
of life, and he empowered tn say whether one
shall ike or die, places one of a sympathlzinp
and sensitive nature in position of nositivee
awe and dread. But when one accents n re-
sp0nsibility bringing with it such painful CON
Fcl isions, he must rise superior to his own feel:
iags of pity aud commiseration for those
who suffer by reason for it and per-
form his duty without fear or favor; and this
shall always do. L positively decline to in
and: say 10 you as tenderly as can, that the
law must take its course, and the sentence i'm
posed by the presiding Judge to be carried into
effect on the day appointed for that purpose.
I and under my directions my Private Secretary
Mr.! Boruek, has notified Sheriff Sweigert Of
santa Glib m county to that effect.
f. db npti thirst for the blood OF any human
| being; neither am / revengeful, nor are there
any personal antagonisms in this Office towards
those who have offended the laws which have
been passed to govern them and who seek at
| myIhapds mitigation of their punishment
but SO long as I hive the power, in the Interest
| OF the good order of society, l shau do my very
| best from my Standpoint to uphold the hands of
Judges and strengthen the Courts by seeing
that the edlcts of both are carried out to lust
conclusion. In my judgment when man COM
| mits crime, is apprehended, indicted tried
| convicted and sentenced. he should be pun
lshed as the law directs, particularly when his
| trial has been presided over by an able, intel
| ligent and merciful Judge, and verdict rem
dered by men of good repute. In such cases
will never interfere, unless, indeed, new, ire
| fragable and unimpeachable evidence is pre-
/ serted rthat y Just conclusion has not been
| reached. In this case IL does not so appear but
on the contrary everything tends to confirm the
| action taken.
| The laws and those called upon to enforce
| them must be respected at all TINES, for unless
they are there can be neither law nor Justice and
| crime Will go unpublished and our name be
| come a byword and reproach. While in of
nee shall try to present such conclusion
| But while l am trying to do my duty ia the
| premises Judges and Courts should endeayor 10
| do theirs. Ifthey entertain any doubt as to the
| guilt or innocence of a criminal they should ex-
| press 1t at the time, not sentence men to death
| deny them new trial, have the Supreme Court
| affirm their action, and in two or three years
| ask that such men be respited on the ground of
| doubt as to their guilt, thus throwing the
whole responsibility upon the shoulders of the
Executive. / am determined, during my in
cumbency, not to bear such burden, and these
| remarks are general in their character and do
| not apply to the case in which you are inter
| ested, but | embrace this opportunity to give
expression to them. In my opinion the Juror
who will agree to a verdict of guilty. being well
assured the penalty is death. then signs petit
ton to the Governor asking for Communication of
sentence, or absolute pardon. on the ground of
doubt as to guilt is guilty of perjury (uninten-
tional though it may be) either in the first or
second instance and maybe in both.
In conclusion let me compliment you on the
eloquent plea made in behalf of your client and
for the courteous and manly mann r in which
you presented the case. Very truly yours,
X, W. WATERMAN. Governor